Ruairi Quinn plans forum on removing Catholic Patronage

[Dev]

http://www.thejournal.ie/ruairi-quinn-p ... e-2011-03/

Some good news that AIs efforts have had some effect.

[Tulip1]

this is great news!!!!

[Dev]

The initiative has been welcomed by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference which said it welcomes the new forum’s “expeditious establishment and conclusion.”

One explanation for the church welcoming this is that it simply hasn't the resources to maintain the status quo. Bishops and priests are very old and there are relatively few left and they replacement rate is far below the norm.

[Tulip1]

well what ever the reason I welcome the change. The patronage system is very bad in my opinion

[ctr]

http://www.rte.ie/news/av/2011/0311/media-2922717.html#

[mkaobrih]

That interview looks quite good – We’ll see how it applies in practice.

[Mirthomaniac]

Seems like good news, but I don't like this whole 'Catholic Church is in the driver seat' idea.

As the interviewer says, "The ball is very much in the Church's Court."

Quinn says it's in society's court...

We'll see. I know someone told me not to worry about this, but I'm not hearing the word 'secular' enough for my liking.

[Dev]

Seems like good news, but I don't like this whole 'Catholic Church is in the driver seat' idea.

As the interviewer says, "The ball is very much in the Church's Court."

Quinn says it's in society's court...

We'll see. I know someone told me not to worry about this, but I'm not hearing the word 'secular' enough for my liking.

Atheist Irelands opinion on the matter might help alleviate any concerns.
http://www.atheist.ie/2011/03/atheist-i ... h-schools/

This has the potential to be the most significant step towards a secular education system ever taken by an Irish Education Minister.

[Mirthomaniac]

Atheist Irelands opinion on the matter might help alleviate any concerns.
http://www.atheist.ie/2011/03/atheist-i ... h-schools/

I read that, and it is precisely what I would expect from AI. However, my concerns are really just a vague feeling that everyone tip-toes around this idea. I'm not saying that it has never been said, but I have not heard it said from Quinn or any politicians that the true goal for our society should be a secular education system that protects everyone's rights.

It's all about the current system not reflecting the diversity of our society. Maybe that's the same thing, but I just can't shake the feeling that there is an aversion to secularism in the public and that politicians are careful not to set off those alarm bells. This might be significant, or it might just be political tact.

[Gadfly]

Good news. I thought the interview was informative and clear. Quinn has restored some of my faith (no pun intended) in politics.